Tommy Bahama Restaurant, Bar & Store

Rehearsal Dinner

The Homestead

Wedding Day

Our Wedding

Our story begins before we actually had met. Abbie and Blake both attended the Briarwood School in Houston and the year was 2011. Abbie was in 6th grade while Blake was a senior in high school. Abbie knew who Blake was and thought he was very cute, as did some of her girlfriends. Blake, thankfully, did not know who Abbie was. She was in, what her daddy lovingly called, her “ugly duckling” phase. Years go by and both date other people, but Abbie ever so often, thought about Blake. The two met for the first time in October 2016 at a charity kickball tournament. Abbie was a senior in high school and Blake was a 2015 graduate of Shriner University. Blake’s high school soccer coach and a student council sponsor invited him to play on the student council team. As luck would have it, Abbie was a member of that team. The day of the tournament arrives and Abbie sees Blake, who she has had a crush on since she was a preteen. Abbie tries to act natural and nonchalant, and realized that Blake was probably not even noticing her. Also, anyone who knew Abbie, knew she was not a very sporty girl, and not a good kickball player. Tennis was more her style. This made Abbie extra nervous having to play in front of Blake, who was very athletic and played soccer in college. The tournament ended and the two went their separate ways. The following month, Blake was invited to another Briarwood function, and sees Abbie perform on stage as Sharpay, in High School Musical. His interest was peeked, but again, they went their separate ways. Eventually, Abbie gets a friend request on Instagram from Blake. She was so excited but did not want to get her hopes up or think anything of it because she knew he was seeing someone. A month passes and Blake adds Abbie on Snapchat, and oh my, she was so excited and a little hopeful deep down. A couple weeks pass and Blake comments on one of Abbie’s stories and the two start messaging each other. They bonded over both attending The Briarwood School, politics, and their love of good food, and traveling. Their friendship grew and they had their official first date on May 12, 2017. Blake attended Abbie’s high school graduation party later that month and met her family, and extended family. Little did anyone know, this was the beginning of their love story. Blake and Abbie dated throughout the summer going to movies, visiting museums, watching Arsenal soccer games, the Houston Symphony to hear Harry Potter music, the beach, tried new restaurants, and basically had an incredible summer. Soon, the summer of 2017 came to an end. Abbie started her freshman year at Texas Tech University, 8 hours away, and they agreed to continue dating long distance. Thank goodness for technology. They spent the next three and 1/2 years, face-timing, talking on the phone, and having many face-time date nights watching movies and eating Uber Eats. Blake traveled to Texas Tech when he could, taking Abbie to her sorority formals, the balloon festival in Albuquerque, MN, even meeting her in Florence, Italy when she traveled abroad her sophomore year. Abbie graduated from college in December of 2020, and Blake asked Abbie to marry him during an incredible surprise proposal at the Museum of Natural Science on March 12, 2021. That evening, they celebrated with their families at their favorite Italian restaurant, Roma.

Our Story

Dating

Proposal

Engagement 

Photos

Bridesmaids

Chloe and I have been best friends since Kindergarten. We were Girl Scouts together for thirteen years and members of National Charity League. 

Chloe

Shraya and I met at an Arsenal soccer match where our boyfriends had taken us. She and I bonded over watching the match but having no idea what was going on. 

Shraya

Samareh and I met because her now husband Erik and Blake were friends. We hit it off and have so much fun together like eating out, trying fun cocktails, and playing games. 

Samareh

Madeline and I became best friends when we were two years old living in the same compound in Saudi Arabia. We were friends and neighbors  until I moved back to the United States and she and her family back to Norway. Even though we were countries apart we have remained best friends till this day!

Madeleine

Casey and I are cousins and even though  we aren't that close in age,  we have grown closer now that we've gotten older.

Casey 

Jade and I met when we were new members  of Alpha Chi Omega sorority. She and I got along so well, she was basically my mom at Texas Tech. We even lived together for a semester.

Jade

Victoria and I met on a new member retreat for Alpha Chi Omega where we spent the weekend at Plano Duro Canyon. We instantly became friends through our like minded personalities.

Victoria 

Jordan and I were Alpha Chi sorority sisters at Texas Tech, she was one of the first friends I made and then became my Big. 

Jordan

Groomsman

Dallas and I met our Sophomore year of High School. I introduced myself outside of  English class with Mrs. Knight. Once class started Dallas was asked if he'd met anyone yet. Dallas pointed at me and said I met "John". I corrected him and said "My name is Blake". We've been best friends ever since.

Dallas

Ross and I met at a pub in Houston, Texas back in 2016. We were both there to watch and root for our favorite soccer team Arsenal FC. Our relationship grew through the pain/love of Arsenal, good food, good beer, and we eventually became roommates. Needless to say it is the liked minded virtue of life that has made Ross and me close friends.

Ross

Erik and I met my Sophomore year of College through our fraternity. With many bonding moments from fraternity events, Habitat for Humanity, Mary's Tacos, and getting together to game at each others apartments, our relationship continued to grow even after college. 

Erik

Nick and I met back when I was 14 years old. When I first met Nick, I had no idea that we would share many great moments together. Nick and I went to the same university, joined the same fraternity, and he was my Big Brother in Phi Delta Theta. After we graduated, Nick and I both moved back to Houston and to this day see each other almost every week.

Nick

Jon and I first met in College through our Fraternity. Even though we shared many of the same interests and hobbies, it wasn't until after college that he and I grew closer. Annually, I would see Jon  either at his condo in South Padre or at the annual crawfish party he'd host at his place (Crawfest). Jon has since moved to Utah but we stay close in touch.

Josh and I met through a mutual friend, Nick Newland. Josh also attended Schreiner University. We both majored in Business and shared many of the same classes. After four years of classes, being roommates, late night Whataburger runs, and endless video games, Josh and I grew to become very close friends. 

Josh

Keifer is the most recent of all my groomsman. We met through a mutual friend, Ross Debataz. Keifer was a colleague of Ross's and an avid Arsenal fan. Through our mutual love of food, beer, nerd stuff, and Arsenal, our friendship has grown to be one of a kind.

Keifer

Logan and I met just after I graduated College. He is the cousin of another one of my groomsman, Josh Spencer. After a few years of attending Halloween Parties and gatherings at the Spencer household, Logan and I started a wonderful friendship with like minded values. 

Logan

Bridal Party

Alex and I also met through our love of Arsenal. It didn't take long for us to become close friends. Alex and I share like minded interests and hobbies. 

Alex

Gunner is the goodest, sweetest boy! He loves ice and swimming in the water. He gets the zoomies whether he's inside or out. He loves people and all living things, and is a gentle fluff ball!

Gunner

Wedding Party

Q + A

Embassy Suites by Hilton The Woodlands at Hughes Landing

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center

The Westin at The Woodlands

On a lakeMake yourself at home in one of the 266 air-conditioned rooms featuring kitchens with full-sized refrigerators/freezers and ovens. 30-inch LED televisions with cable programming provide entertainment, while complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected. Private bathrooms have deep soaking bathtubs and complimentary toiletries. Conveniences include safes and separate sitting areas, as well as phones with free local calls.With a stay at Holiday Inn Club Vacations Piney Shores Resort, an IHG Hotel in Conroe, you'll be on the waterfront, within a 10-minute drive of Lake Conroe and Conroe Outlet Mall.  This family-friendly hotel is 14.4 mi (23.1 km) from Sam Houston National Forest and 17.3 mi (27.9 km) from Memorial Hermann.Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer.  Lake Conroe - 3.5 km / 2.2 mi  Conroe Outlet Mall - 6 km / 3.7 mi  7 Acre Wood - 6.9 km / 4.3 mi  Wedgewood Golf Course - 7.8 km / 4.8 mi  Owen Theatre - 12.4 km / 7.7 mi  Crighton Theatre - 12.5 km / 7.8 mi  The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center - 13.7 km / 8.5 mi  HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe - 15.5 km / 9.7 mi  Texas National Golf Club - 15.8 km / 9.8 mi  Sam Houston National Forest - 23.1 km / 14.4 mi  Lone Star College - 24.4 km / 15.2 mi  Woodforest Golf Club - 24.9 km / 15.5 mi  The Woodlands Center - 25.4 km / 15.8 mi  Memorial Hermann - 27.9 km / 17.3 mi  Woodlands Mall - 29.2 km / 18.1 mi  The nearest airports are:George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) - 63.3 km / 39.3 mi Houston William Hobby Airport (HOU) - 92.3 km / 57.4 mi Houston, TX (EFD-Ellington Field) - 105.4 km / 65.5 mi Dip into one of the 3 outdoor swimming pools or 2 spa tubs and enjoy other recreational amenities, which include an outdoor tennis court. This hotel also features complimentary wireless Internet access, an arcade/game room, and a picnic area.The front desk is staffed during limited hours. Free self parking is available onsite.You can enjoy a meal at The Grille serving the guests of Holiday Inn Club Vacations Piney Shores Resort, an IHG Hotel, or stop in at the snack bar/deli.

Holiday Inn Club Vacations Piney Shores Resort

Near Conroe Outlet MallMake yourself at home in one of the 120 guestrooms featuring refrigerators and flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wired and wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and cable programming provides entertainment. Private bathrooms with shower/tub combinations feature complimentary toiletries and hair dryers. Conveniences include desks and microwaves, as well as phones with free local calls.With a stay at Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Houston Conroe/Woodlands in Conroe, you'll be near the airport, within a 15-minute drive of Lake Conroe and Conroe Outlet Mall.  This hotel is 9.5 mi (15.2 km) from Sam Houston National Forest and 13.3 mi (21.4 km) from Memorial Hermann.Distances are displayed to the nearest 0.1 mile and kilometer.  Conroe Outlet Mall - 1.7 km / 1.1 mi  7 Acre Wood - 2.7 km / 1.7 mi  Heritage Museum of Montgomery County - 3.6 km / 2.2 mi  Wedgewood Golf Course - 4.8 km / 3 mi  The Lone Star Convention & Expo Center - 6.1 km / 3.8 mi  Owen Theatre - 6.4 km / 4 mi  Lake Conroe - 8.8 km / 5.4 mi  HCA Houston Healthcare Conroe - 9 km / 5.6 mi  Crighton Theatre - 9.3 km / 5.8 mi  Texas National Golf Club - 11.8 km / 7.4 mi  Sam Houston National Forest - 15.2 km / 9.5 mi  Lone Star College - 17.9 km / 11.1 mi  Texas Children's Hospital The Woodlands - 18 km / 11.2 mi  The Woodlands Center - 18.9 km / 11.8 mi  Woodforest Golf Club - 21.3 km / 13.3 mi  The preferred airport for Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Houston Conroe/Woodlands is George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) - 56.8 km / 35.3 mi Be sure to enjoy recreational amenities including an outdoor pool and a 24-hour fitness center. Additional amenities at this Art Deco hotel include complimentary wireless Internet access, gift shops/newsstands, and a television in a common area.Featured amenities include complimentary wired Internet access, a 24-hour business center, and express check-in. Free self parking is available onsite.Grab a bite from the snack bar/deli serving guests of Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott Houston Conroe/Woodlands.

Abbie & Blake

Abbie & Blake

Photos

Dating

Proposal

Engagement